According to the website of Ravid & Assoc, dogs are one of the most popular pets in the US, and according to the United States Census Bureau, millions of households in the US own at least one dog. Odds are, at least one of your neighbors has a dog. Hopefully, they take good care of their pet and you get along with them well. Sadly, that is not always the case. Hundreds of thousands of people go to the emergency room every year for dog bites. While every situation doesn’t escalate to a dog bite or attack, it is something to be wary of if your neighbor’s dog appears particularly aggressive. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure that you live peacefully with your neighbor and their dog. In the ideal situation there is no threat of an attack, either because the dog is well behaved or because the owner keeps them appropriately secured.

However, the dog can still bark excessively and cause friction between you and your neighbor. In a situation such as this, communication is key. It is important to talk with your neighbor yourself and try to remedy the situation before ever contacting the police in order to prevent a long term grudge from forming. When speaking to your neighbor about their dog, remember to be calm and try to avoid accusations or blame – for many people, their pets are like their children, and how they raise them can be a sensitive issue. Unfortunately, not every situation is ideal. Sometimes dogs get out or owners are not proactive enough to securely keep their dog in their yard.

When owners allow their dogs to escape their yard, it puts not only the dog in danger but yourself as well. Just like the website of Abel Law Firm states, it can be difficult to tell the difference between an aggressive dog and a friendly one. If a dog you are not familiar with approaches you with a stiff demeanor, head down, with teeth bared or growling, it is best for you to try to remove yourself discretely from the situation. If you know the owner of the dog, try to contact them and let them know their dog is loose. If you cannot contact them quickly, or they do not take action quickly, you will have to contact the authorities to come and safely collect the dog in order to prevent any bites or attacks to others.